Expert: Geoffrey Bridge - 9/4/2009

Question
Hello Geoffrey,

You have been very prompt and helpful with my questions in the past so I wanted to ask your opinion regarding the Chauvet english horns. The one I'm thinking of looking at is an AC series (AC 126)that was owned by a professional who recently got a new Laubin. He wants just under $5,000 for it and that's Canadian which is slightly less than American. I know you can't tell me about the horn itself as you haven't tried it, but I heard a couple of opinions that the Chauvet was comparable to a Laubin english horn, which are very hard to come by here in the USA. Just wondering if you know much about Chauvet and what your opinions are. I talked to Peter Hurd and he is a big fan of Chauvet and had an AC series that he sold awhile ago that he thought was a great horn.

Thanks for any info.

Sheryl  

Answer
Dear Sheryl

Thank you for your kind words. Bless you!

I would certainly go for the Chauvet english horn and the price does not look too bad either.

If it plays the way you want it to then you will have a great instrument. It will be at least 35 years old as they ceased production around 1975 but the english horn very often seems to improve with age - not something we can always say about the oboe itself.

I really don't know a lot about the make other than what I hear folk say about them that have got them. They love them. So, if it works for you think hard before letting it go to someone else!

Best wishes

Geoffrey